Pusat Ikan Hiasan
Port Dickson

young turtle at Pusat Ikan Hiasan, Port Dickson

Pusat Ikan Hiasan translates as Ornamental Fish Centre and it is an aquarium and marine conservation facility run by the Malaysian Department of Fisheries. 

exterior of Pusat Ikan Hiasan

The centre is located at the northern end of Port Dickson’s Teluk Kemang beach and sea water from the bay is pumped into the centre’s storage tanks for cleaning and treatment before being used in their aquariums. The fish tanks are spotlessly clean meaning that visitors can obtain a clear view of the various fish, coral and marine creatures on display here.

tropical fish at Pusat Ikan Hiasan

Outside the entrance is the turtle nursery comprising a number of tanks containing turtles ranging from cute tiny hatchlings to juveniles. The species on show were Hawksbill sea turtles, Leatherback sea turtles and Green sea turtles (which were not green at all).

clown fishes at Pusat Ikan Hiasan

Here you can find both Nemo and Dory.

Arothorn Stellatus

According to the sign, this very strange looking chap is an Arothorn Stellatus or Puffer Fish but unlike other puffer fish I’ve seen.

horseshoe crabs

These weird looking creatures are horseshoe crabs. Females are bigger than males. This pair might be mating or perhaps he is just catching a lift.

close up of horseshoe crab

Who are you calling weird?

zebra moray eel

Don’t try to feed this zebra moray eel by hand. It might think you are trying to attack it and could give you a nasty bite.

stone fish (synanceia) at Port Dickson

This stone fish (synanceia) would not win any beauty contest but has a highly venomous sting which has been known to kill people unfortunate enough to accidentally step on it.

coral incubators

As well as being an attractive aquarium for educating the public, Pusat Ikan Hiasan also serves as a research centre and incubator for marine ornamental fish, sea horses and coral reefs.

Review Verdict

aquarium at Pusta Ikan Hiasan

This place was better than I expected. A great selection of marine life and spotlessly clean tanks. In my opinion the Department of Fisheries could charge a nominal entrance fee without deterring visitors and use the money to further their marine conservation work. 

They should also supervise the visitors more closely. Some people were touching the young turtles despite signs telling them not to do so.

Opening Hours and Admission Fee

Pusat Ikan Hiasan poster

Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday 9 am - 4.30pm

(Friday closed for prayer break 12.15 pm - 2.45 pm)

Saturday - Sunday 10 am - 4 pm


Ticket Price:

Free!

How to Get to Pusat Ikan Hiasan

The exact location is marked on this map:

GPS: 

2°27'46.9"N 101°51'02.3"E

2.463020, 101.850630


Address:

Jalan Kemang 8, Kampung Baharu, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

Tel: 06-662 1089

You can find more details on their Facebook page.

Nearby

There are plenty of other things to do in PD. See my Top Port Dickson Attractions page for details.

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AUTHOR BIO

cartoon of author with an orangutan

David (the one on the left) is the writer behind Malaysia Traveller, sharing firsthand travel advice from over five decades of living and travelling across Asia and the Middle East. Based in Malaysia since 2009 and now in Kuching, he has published 700+ pages, personally visited every place he covers, and uses only his own photos. Readers can learn more on his About Me page. He also shares updates on Facebook and YouTube. He loves uncovering overlooked places even many Malaysians have never visited.